Pros
Independence, flowers, some customers, can work in nice weather
Cons
Disrespect, unpredictable hours, No Saturdays off all year, Krg Corporate Micromanaging, No support from NGS, Toxic.
NGS does not prioritize work-life balance for its employees and demonstrates little concern for their well-being. The company maintains a contractual relationship with Kroger, and it appears that NGS consistently accommodates Kroger Corporate's demands without considering the impact on its own staff. A recent example of this is the implementation of a new work schedule for 2026, which requires Merchandisers to work from Monday through Saturday all year round. This significant change was introduced without any advance notice or opportunity for employees to plan accordingly. The new policy was communicated as effective immediately, with no provisions for coverage if an employee needed to take a day off. This lack of forewarning and flexibility disregards the needs and commitments of Merchandisers. When hired, employees were informed that Saturday work would only be expected during peak seasons. However, the abrupt shift to a mandatory six-day workweek throughout the year showed no regard for the personal lives of staff members. This policy forced employees to cancel family vacation weekends, miss their children's ballgames, and reschedule important events like Saturday birthday parties. Such actions are perceived as unfair and inconsiderate, placing unreasonable expectations on employees and disrupting their personal and family lives. The positive aspects are working independently and being around beautiful flowers. IF the store supplies you with watering equipment you will be able to take care of them, some stores don’t. The job advertisement for this position can be misleading, as it suggests a level of flexibility that does not reflect the actual working conditions. Employees are not able to choose their own days or hours, nor can they reliably maintain a second job, due to the unpredictability of deliveries that can disrupt their schedules without warning. The responsibilities extend far beyond simply watering plants. The work is physically demanding and exhausting, requiring tasks such as unloading up to 100 trees, each weighing over 50 pounds, and unloading five carts of flowers consecutively at every assigned location. These tasks must be completed independently, as no assistance is provided. Additionally, time spent carefully setting up product displays is often wasted, as Kroger Management may rearrange or move the displays after the employee leaves. My advice is to continue your job search elsewhere. The experiences described above highlight a lack of consideration for staff well-being, inflexible scheduling, and physically demanding work. These conditions suggest that those who prioritize respectful treatment and work-life balance may not find a suitable environment at NGS. Therefore, it is recommended to explore other opportunities where your expectations for respect and fair treatment are more likely to be met.
